Brucellosis is a dangerous animal disease that can spread to humans. It is caused by Brucella aerobic bacteria. Other names for brucellosis are Mediterranean, M altese, Goat, Gibr altar, Bang disease. What are the symptoms of brucellosis and how is it treated?

Brucellosis(Mediterranean, M altese, Goat, Gibr altar fever, Bang's disease) is a chronicbacterial zoonotic disease . Brucellosis bacilli were first isolated at the end of the 19th century by the English microbiologist and physician David Bruce, who conducted a study of goats in M alta. Bacteria of the speciesBrucella , which are carriers of farm animals: cows, pigs, goats, sheep, as well as camels, dogs, hares and rodents: mice, rats, squirrels, are dangerous to humans.

Brucellosis: how do you get infected?

You can get infected with brucellosis through contact with an infected animal: its secretions, excretions and milk. Bacteria can also enter the human body by inhalation - when inhaling airborne germs and by contaminating the skin wound. This danger is especially threatening to farmers, veterinarians and people professionally working in cattle breeding and slaughterhouses, as well as employees of milk processing plants.

The most common way of infection in other cases is drinking unpasteurized milk or eating contaminated milk products based on unpasteurized sheep, cow, goat and camel milk. The infection does not spread from person to person. Rarely, this can happen during breastfeeding (when the baby's mother is sick) and during sexual intercourse (anal sex).

Brucellosis: symptoms of infection

After entering the body, brucellosis bacteria attack the lymph nodes, where the disease emerges. It can last from 5 days to several weeks, and sometimes even up to several months. Subsequently, the microorganisms can attack other organs, which means that the disease does not give clear and easy to diagnose symptoms.

Usually, the first sign of symptoms is flu-like symptoms. They usually occur up to eight weeks after infection. The sick person is weakened, he is tired with fever, especially at night he complains of pouring sweats, he suffers from headaches and joint pains.These ailments can come and go, hence brucellosis is sometimes called a wave fever.

In the later stage of the disease (up to 1 year), symptoms may occur related to the development of pathological changes in various systems (including testicular pain, pain in joints and knees, endocarditis). The disease can progress to a chronic form with relapses, causing changes in the bones and soft organs. Sometimes the pain is local, which indicates a specific site of infection.

Brucellosis: research

The symptoms of brucellosis are manifold and its similarity to the flu makes it difficult to diagnose. In the first place, an epidemiological interview should be conducted, which may indicate a risk of developing zoonotic disease. In further diagnostics, the doctor recommends blood tests (determination of rheumatoid factor, ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP) - a high level indicates inflammation). In order to confirm the diagnosis, serological tests are performed to look for antibodies produced by the body as a result of contact with microorganisms. The presence of antibodies to brucellosis is indirect evidence of infection. Microbiological tests are also performed, which consist in isolating and culturing bacteria from the patient's blood or bone marrow.

Brucellosis: treatment

Infection with Brucella bacteria is rarely fatal to humans, but illness and treatment take a long time as the bacteria multiply intracellularly. During treatment, antibiotics are given orally or by injection, which are more effective in acute disease. A long rest is also recommended, as well as vitamin supplementation as well as physical and balneotherapy.

Brucellosis: how to avoid infection?

Brucellosis is primarily an occupational disease that affects people working with infected animals the most. Most of the rules therefore apply to conduct to prevent the spread of disease among animals and its transmission to people who have contact with these animals. To prevent brucellosis infections:

  • do not drink unpasteurized milk
  • avoid consuming products made from unpasteurized milk (soft cheeses are often contaminated with brucellosis sticks)
  • don't eat raw meat
  • do not allow people particularly vulnerable to infection (seniors, pregnant women, children) to stay in breeding rooms and in those where animals are delivered

Category:

Infectious diseases